Bringing Home Bryant: Love and Laughs

Through lots of prayer and support little Bryant is feeling much better and recovered from a rough stay at the hospital. Poor little man had 11 days of severe diarrhea, 5 days of 103 fever, and a big scare of bowel intussseption all of which led to a 3 days hospital stay. After IV fluids and tons of testing it was determined that Bryant had Salmonella. We have no clue how he contracted it. Especially when all he eats is chicken nuggets, chocolate milk, pizza hot pockets and bacon. No one else in the house contracted it and he ate the same thing as everyone else. All we can think of is that he came in contact with a frog or lizard while playing in the yard. Who knows. Thankfully it is all over and he is feeling much better. I believe out of every bad situation comes a blessing. Our blessing has been Bryant's interest in food after his illness. With no food for a week the little guy realized true hunger. At the hospital he kept asking the nurses for pizza. Finally the last day they gave in. His Papa came to visit him and brought a stuffed Elmo. Bryant wanted chips and Papa searched every floor of the hospital for the Cool Ranch Doritos he wanted. He ate the entire bag. Since then he has become addicted to chips and asks "where my chips go." Thankfully he is eating much better now with no behavior issues related to food. He is actually enjoying food. I never thought I would see this day. Praying for this new phenomenon to continue so we can put back on some pounds.

We spent this past weekend with Jeff's family at the lake. We had a wonderful time with Papa, Nana, aunts, uncles and tons of cousins. There were 10 adults and 11 children age 11 and under in one house. We were outnumbered with kids. It was so much fun. Great food, good drinks and lots of laughs. The cousins had an awesome time tubing, jet skiing, fishing and making up dances. Papa drove the boat for hours upon hours. It was full of kids waiting to be pulled on the ski tube. On Saturday we went to the family reunion at the house his Grandfather built. It was very special to be there with all of his extended family. I believe there were around 45 of us all together. Through all the crazy chaos of the weekend there was one overlying theme - love for one another and the importance of family.